The Stronger Man

I don't normally share what I'm learning in my quiet times with God...I'm not sure why...maybe I should more often, but today was such a powerful devotion and I'm surrounded by friends and loved ones going through difficult times and who are victoriously standing on the power of God...so I had to share this.

My Bible reading was from Luke 11:14-23 and it's a passage where Jesus casts a mute demon out of a man. Many surrounding Him marvelled and others wanted signs from heaven (cause casting out a demon wasn't enough???) to prove that He was casting out demons on behalf of God and not Satan. Jesus talks about a divided house not being able to stand, meaning that if He were casting out demons by Satan, Satan's house would fall. But if He were casting out demons from the finger of God, then the kingdom of God is among us. The passage ends with Jesus giving a metaphor of Satan, the strong man, being fully armed and guarding his estate. The strong man secures his possessions. But when a stronger man attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons and divides the plunder. The devotion led me through questions about what in my life Satan has stolen from me (i.e., joy, confidence in knowing that Christ can work through me despite me, etc.). And then it hammered out why God is a STRONGER MAN than Satan. The lovely Beth Moore (who I will be seeing in person this weekend) wrote this devotion and she gives three things that we learn about God from this passage.

1. Satan may be strong, but Christ is stronger!
2. Christ will attack and overcome Satan. (Love what she says here: "Satan is a defeated foe. The defeating blows actually came through a hammer on the nails of the cross. Christ finished the work when He willingly gave His life for our sins. So God is biding His time until His kingdom calendar has been accomplished and all who will receive His salvation are redeemed. Then one day, God's finger is going to point right at the strong man, and Satan is going to wish he'd never existed.")
3. Our someone stronger is going to take away Satan's armor and divide up the spoils.

She ends with this prayer: "O Lord, because of You, even the captives of the mighty man will be taken, and the prey of the tyrant will be delivered. For You will contend with the one who contends with us, and You will save Your children from his grasp."

For someone who often can take the blows from Satan and let them beat me down, this passage was so uplifting! Here was my response:

"Lord, You are stronger than Satan and anything he can throw at us. You have defeated him through Your sacrifice on the cross. You have given us (Christians) victory over the deceiver!! Praise You Lord!! Praise Your Mighty Name!! Thank You God that You have given us part of Your victory, that You want us with You - that Your timing is PERFECT!!! And thank You that You restore back to us all that was lost! I love You, Lord, Mightiest of ALL, KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS, Redeemer, Restorer, Alpha and Omega! AMEN!"

God is in control, always. I'm soooo thankful for that!